Stress

The effects of stress are well documented in many thousands of medical studies that span over centuries. While occasional bouts of stress are not likely to have lasting adverse health effects, regular or constant stress can lead to the development of chronic medical conditions.

The causes of stressvary depending on our individual life circumstances. Likewise, the potential effects of stressare very broad, and in fact, have been directly linked to the top causes of death in Canada . Stress management is important in optimizing work or sport performance, preventing injury and disease, and improving our overall quality of life. Stress Statistics:~ Research has shown that stress can cause the development of chronic conditions in a few years.~ Over one-quarter of men (28%) who report high job stress in 1994/95 continued to experience it six years later. Persistent job strain was even more common for women (42%).~ Men in high-stress jobs were 2.5 times more likely than their counterparts in low-stress jobs to experience depression; women were 1.6 times more likely.~ Stress as a reason for absence has increased 316% since 1995. The direct cost of absenteeism totals 4.5 billion each year.~ The total cost of work time lost to stress in Canada is $2 billion. ~ Women seniors who report higher levels of psychological stress appear to be more likely to die sooner.~ Nearly a quarter (23%) of Canadians report a high degree of life stress. (Statisitics Canada)~ Mental health claims are the fastest growing category of disability costs in Canada (Manulife Financial Group)~ Job stress is estimated to cost American Industry $300 billion a year, more than the net profits of all the Fortune 500 companies combined and ten times the costs of all strikes.~ 60 - 80% of on-the-job accidents are stress-related.~ 75-90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related complaints or conditions. ~ Health Care expenditures are nealy 50% greater for workers who report high stress level. (American Institute of Stress)~ 80% of workers feel stress on-the-job.